Democratic Sen. John Fetterman is set to meet with Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to discuss a series of allegations against him. Fetterman mentioned allegations of excessive drinking and sexual assault, although no formal charges have been filed. Despite these allegations, Fetterman is open to the possibility of supporting Hegseth.
Fetterman expressed his intention to have a straightforward conversation with Hegseth during their meeting. He admitted to being unfamiliar with Hegseth prior to his nomination but sees this as an opportunity to discuss various military issues, such as China, Israel, and Ukraine.
Notably, Fetterman has previously met with another of Trump's nominees, indicating his willingness to engage with key figures in the new administration. He emphasized that his role as a senator extends beyond party lines and that engaging with potential cabinet members is part of his duty.
Despite potential criticism from within his party for meeting with a controversial nominee, Fetterman remains focused on fostering dialogue and fulfilling his responsibilities as a senator. He dismissed concerns about giving Trump a bipartisan win, stating that his priority is to have meaningful conversations.
On the other hand, Hegseth emphasized that his approach to meetings with Democrats is no different from those with Republicans. He stressed the importance of keeping politics out of the Department of Defense and highlighted the significance of engaging with members from both parties.
Overall, the upcoming meeting between Fetterman and Hegseth represents a significant step in the process of confirming Trump's cabinet nominees. It underscores the importance of bipartisan communication and collaboration in addressing critical national security issues.
